Slate Magazine’s Post

Never underestimate the impact of right-wing media's ability to frame the national narrative: "American media has been in decline for decades, a victim of technological change, but also a deliberate reordering of the rules that govern media ownership (see above, think Disney), allowing billionaires, and massive media conglomerates to buy and operate entire media networks for their own profit and purposes. Cable TV, Rush Limbaugh & Right Wing radio, Fox News, Sinclair Broadcasting -- the right’s echo chamber didn’t come about by happenstance. It’s now possible to convince 50% of the population that we live in two different nations, one Blue and one Red. The Red one is under siege from gay and trans people, uppity women and culture warriors, climate scolds, intellectuals, and, of course, hordes of brown and black and other people rampaging across the southern border by the millions, taking and raping, raping and taking." https://lnkd.in/giZHbmcJ

Other things whizzing round Trump’s head lately… Fascinating profile by Dan McAdams, author of ‘The Strange Case of Donald J Trump: a Psychological Reckoning’ of what makes the Republican candidate tick and why people follow him.  🧐 The essence of his appeal is that Trump is at once “more than a person .. and less than a person too.” Trump believes himself to be a superhero (as do many of his supporters) – and not driven by the strategies, motivations and beliefs that we typically attribute to full-fledged people. 🦸♂️ 💪 As McAdams explains, “human personhood is tied up with narrative and storytelling. People understand their lives as narratives evolving over time.” But with Trump “there seems to be very little by way of a story in his head about who he is and how he came to be. He is instead the ‘episodic man’, living outside of time in the eternal moment, fighting in the here and now to win the battle at hand, episode by episode, day by day.”  ⏳👊 This is reflected in his rhetoric: disjointed, full of digressions, random tangents and non sequiturs, sound-bite demagoguery without any sign of connection to a cohesive inner conviction or belief system other than those of a narcissist pleasing the audience in front of him. While he is clearly capable of connecting emotionally with an audience (tapping into their fear and insecurity and legitimising their anger), this doesn’t come from any real emotional connection inside of him to any driving altruistic purpose. 👿 😰 Pulitzer-prize winning author Anne Applebaum’s latest book ‘Autocracy Inc: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World’ gives an alarming account of how autocracies are working together to undermine the democratic world. If we are to have a remote chance of successfully defending ourselves, the very least we need in the leader of the West’s only superpower is the discipline, consistency and courage that comes from being truly emotionally and intellectually grounded in the real, positive values of the nation they lead. And then the ability to project that with authority, confidence, impact and conviction. Seems Trump is missing a vital half. 🤡😱 #YouBrand #emotionalconnection #Trump

What Chris is Talking About This Week A historic shift is reshaping America! With Donald Trump’s return as the 47th President and a Republican-controlled Congress, we’re diving deep into what this red wave means for the economy, personal freedom, and opportunity. Buckle up for a breakdown of what’s next and how it could impact your finances and future.

In the great circus that is politics, Donald Trump returns to center stage, a ringmaster juggling flaming torches of financial entanglements. As he prepares for an encore in the Oval Office, the crowd is left wondering whether this act will light up the sky in admiration or burn down the tent of transparency. With promises of separating his presidential powers from his business empire reminiscent of Pinocchio’s ever-growing nose, we can only question if we'll hear the wood crack as tensions pull it taut. Are we to believe that the Trump Organization’s pursuits now take a permanent vacation, or is this just a trick learned at Merlin’s knee? Diving deeper, one might venture forth with the curiosity of a latter-day Columbus - is this voyage towards uncharted prosperity or fraudulent discovery amidst the new world's murky depths? The underlying melody seems bittersweet and bold, echoing the layered complexities of balancing power and personal interests with the nonchalance of a tango danced to a song only some wish to hear. History is often a storyteller's playground, and we're the wide-eyed audience in Shakespeare’s modern-day globe. Will the soliloquy end with epic heroism or poignant tragedy when personal empires collide with public duty? **As the curtain rises:** - Are the checks and balances robust enough to tame the billionaire's ambitions, or are we witnessing a new sleight of hand worthy of David Copperfield himself? - Does the system, yearning for answers and accountability, transform its hopeful apprehensions into clarified resolve? Brace yourselves, as the stage is set for intrigue. Our political drama, a complex orchestration, appears more thrilling than ever. Prediction ahead: much like a magician reaches into a hat with no promises, we can expect the unexpected. Conflicts of interest may linger, casting shadows we haven’t cast away, yet only time will reveal if they're manacles or unwanted reflections. https://lnkd.in/emdgfXDV #TrumpSecondAct #PoliticalTheater #ConflictsofInterest #FinancialEngagement #OvalOfficeOrEmpire #LeadershipArc #TransparencyChallenge

Latest from Robert Blizzard and UpOne Insights, a couple notes: - Blizzard captures perfectly that this isn’t a change in the Presidential race, Harris v. Trump is a new race and one on a compressed timeline. If you’re not looking at it that way, you’ll miss key dynamics. - Not only is it a new race, but Page 8 shows you exactly how close it is from an electoral perspective (which is the only one that matters). - Going back to a previous post, Harris still wants a choice election vs. Trump (same dynamic Biden wanted). The Trump campaign still wants a referendum election focused on kitchen table economics. Nothing about the shift from Biden to Harris changes that. - For now, Harris has been able to ride this new wave of energy and dodge the sins of incumbency and we should expect that to last through the Dem convention at the end of August. Post Labor Day will be the Trump campaign’s first real opportunity to meaningfully flip the narrative back to the past years, if they can stay focused. - Nothing about the change from Biden to Harris really changes the Senate map, the GOP is still in control there (with a history of missing this opportunity). However, the new energy in the Dem party likely puts the House back in play for a switch in control. #parafossam #privateequity #venturecapital #familyoffices #entrepreneurs #investors

Don't be left behind., Join the Moving train. still celebrating the POTUS.., As we continue to celebrate Donald John Trump as the 47th President of the United States. There is something spectacular about Donald J Trump; - He surrounds himself with great personalities and has a great circle of high-profile individuals. For those who understand times and seasons., We are stepping into a new chapter in the financial market together. Being in the right circle is the best thing you could do for yourself., As a partner of the JFX-GROUP., Here are the words from our C.E.O 👇👇👇 " I understand that change can bring about uncertainty, but I want to reassure you that the events I’ve mentioned will begin to unfold, just as I’ve anticipated. It’s natural to feel some stress during times like these, but I encourage you to take a moment for yourself. Relax and trust the plan we’ve set out. Let’s focus on our goals and support one another, ignoring any distractions that may arise. Remember, we are not new to this—we are experienced and resilient traders. We have a strategy in place, and together, we can execute it thoughtfully and effectively. As long as we remain steadfast and united, I truly believe we will see success and growth " _______________________________ Do you want to invest or trade in the financial market., am here for you.. Just come to my DM https://wa.link/gfs39d Ps: If you had the opportunity to join the circle of Donald Trump's friends, would you? 🤔 #Greatminds #Financialgrowth

“Donald Trump has described at length the dangerous and disturbing actions he says he will take if he wins the presidency.” - The New York Times “The United States that Donald Trump describes in his rally speeches would be pretty bad if it actually existed.” - CNN The New York Times and CNN have persistently scrutinized Trump’s past, from his chaotic handling of the COVID-19 pandemic to his legal entanglements. Their coverage questions whether a leader facing potential felony charges should seek the Oval Office. Such headlines urge Americans to heed the warnings: “Believe him.” Yet, amid this storm, a different narrative pulses. Influencers like Joe Rogan, Dana White, Ben Shapiro, and Candace Owens wield their platforms to recast Trump as a champion of resilience and free speech. ✉️ Rogan’s podcast resonates with listeners who value unfiltered conviction, positioning Trump as a symbol of defiance against mainstream constraints. 📺 White frames Trump as an outsider taking on entrenched systems, embodying the underdog spirit that resonates with his audience. 💡 Shapiro lauds policy successes like tax cuts and robust foreign strategies, highlighting practical benefits that appeal to conservatives. 🌍 Owens underscores Trump’s support for freedom and economic empowerment, a message that finds traction within minority communities seeking alternatives to conventional political narratives. The irony? The very social media platforms that silenced Trump in 2021 became instrumental in his 2024 comeback, proving that digital narratives hold transformative power. 🚀 This era underscores an immutable truth: in the digital arena, comebacks are not just possible—they are inevitable. The fluidity of influence and the democratization of voice have reshaped how leaders rise and fall. Social media is not just a tool; it is the battleground where future legacies are forged. #DonaldTrump #USPolitics #PresidentialElection #MediaCoverage #FreeSpeech #Resilience #SocialMediaInfluence #JoeRogan #BenShapiro #DanaWhite #CandaceOwens #DigitalNarratives #PoliticalComeback #InfluencerImpact #AmericanDemocracy #LeadershipCrisis #2024Elections #MainstreamMedia #AlternativeVoices

“Dave Chappelle's 2022 “Saturday Night Live" monologue, swiftly censored after its airing, revealed stark truths about America's political landscape. The act of pulling the performance underscores the tension between free speech and narrative control, illustrating the complexities of discussing sensitive topics in today’s climate. In his monologue, Chappelle dissected Donald Trump’s appeal with sharp humor, describing Trump as an “honest liar.” This paradox is central to Trump’s connection with his supporters. In a world of polished politicians, Trump’s blatant admission of exploiting the very system he criticizes set him apart. During a debate with Hillary Clinton, Trump openly admitted to using the rigged system to his advantage, claiming it made him smart. This blunt acknowledgment resonated with many who felt alienated by the political elite. In regions like Ohio, where Chappelle notes Trump is "very loved," his straightforward approach and brash honesty deeply connected with voters. Trump’s ability to express shared frustrations with a corrupt system, while admitting his own participation in it, created a paradoxical trust. He was seen as an insider who could reform the system from within. However, Chappelle pointed out the deeper cynicism in Trump’s approach: after his admissions, he continued to play the same game, revealing that real change was unlikely because both sides are self-serving. Trump's “honest liar” persona illustrates the balance between candid deceit and the public’s deep-seated desire for truth. The public’s yearning for authenticity, even when it includes confessions of deceit, shows a complex relationship between the governed and their leaders. Trump's transparency about his manipulations is perceived as a rare form of honesty in politics, reflecting a deep-seated desire for unvarnished truth, even when uncomfortable. In a world filled with deception, Chappelle makes us laugh because, deep down, we know it's true.” - 𝒥 #SNL #comedy #trump #politics #democracy #truth #lies